As we age, it’s not uncommon for our hair to thin, lose volume, or become more fragile—especially for women over 50 navigating gray transitions. But beauty YouTuber Nikol Johnson is changing the game with a “weird” yet surprisingly effective hair routine that’s giving major volume to thinning strands. In a recent video, the over-50 beauty expert revealed the step-by-step process and hero products behind her full, voluminous hair—and it all starts with a surprising scalp product.
“Today we’re going to be talking about the unexpected hair product that gives massive volume,” she says.
After years of testing and tweaking, she’s landed on a system that works wonders for her naturally gray, fine hair—one that avoids harsh washing habits and instead focuses on scalp health, product layering, and thoughtful styling.
Nikol’s Hack For Massive Hair Volume
“I really realized that there is a little combo that I’m doing that’s really giving me some super, super volume,” Johnson shared. “It’s this one product, but it’s like a mixture of everything I’m doing.”
At the center of her hair transformation is the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt, a scalp exfoliator she found randomly on Amazon. Though she initially hesitated to try it because of the chunky salt crystals, it became a game-changer once she figured out how to apply it directly to her scalp.
“This is where the volume starts—it starts with this salt and cleansing my scalp,” she explains. “It makes your hair so clean and so soft. I never had volume like this.”
She applies the scrub with care, warming it in her hands before massaging it into parted sections of her scalp, paying special attention to the temples and crown. According to her, a clean scalp is essential for maximizing lift and keeping the hair from lying flat.
From there, her routine includes a well-edited mix of products: the Kérastase Elixir Ultime shampoo and conditioner, Phyto Argent No Yellow Shampoo for brightening grays, and Kérastase Blow Dry Lotion for lightweight styling protection. She avoids heavy products and prioritizes keeping her strands light and bouncy.
To style, she turns to her Dyson Airwrap, Velcro rollers, and a strategic habit of pinning her hair up post-styling to “train it” to stay high. And for added oomph? A mousse from Kérastase (likely the “Bouffante” volumizing mousse) goes right at the roots for that final boost.
“Now, there’s volume, and then there’s mousse volume,” she jokes. “This product makes a big difference.”
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The bottom line
Her advice to fellow women over 50? Focus on scalp health first, know your hair’s texture, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
“It just takes a little bit of time and experimenting,” she says. “This is basically the core that I can always trust, and I know my hair is going to look a certain way.”
If you’ve been struggling with limp, thinning hair or don’t know where to start with aging strands, her thoughtful, tried-and-true routine might be just the motivation you need to revamp your own beauty ritual.